Fiji inaugurates new monitoring centre to battle illegal fishing

Fiji’s efforts to combat Illegal, Unregulated and Unreported (IUU) fishing has been significantly strengthened with the inauguration of a new, state-of-the-art Fisheries Monitoring Centre in Suva, Fiji.

This initiative is part of a larger regional strategy to enhance Monitoring, Control and Surveillance (MCS) capabilities across the Pacific region.

Fiji’s Minister for Fisheries, Alitia Bainivalu spoke of the critical timing of this development: “This new monitoring centre arrives at a pivotal moment for Fiji’s fisheries sector. Recent data indicates that IUU fishing costs our nation approximately FJD50m (USD21.8 million) annually in lost revenue.”

The facility, equipped with advanced surveillance technology, will significantly enhance the nation’s ability to protect its valuable marine resources worth millions to the economy.

The inauguration featured the handover of FJD0.4million (USD174,315) worth of advanced monitoring equipment provided by the European Union and Sweden funded Pacific-European Union Marine Partnership (PEUMP) Programme, which is implemented by the Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA).

Minister Bainivalu added, “With this enhanced technology and the support from the European Union through the FFA, we are taking a significant step towards protecting our blue economy and ensuring compliance with our recently strengthened fisheries legislation.”

The equipment includes professional grade laptops, security systems and a visual display wall which will enable Fiji’s fisheries officers to monitor vessel movements, verify catch data, and coordinate enforcement actions more effectively.

The high-resolution LED display wall will improve how Fiji visuals, marine data, monitor vessel movements, and coordinate sustainable fisheries management throughout its waters. With a server systems and backup protection ensuring uninterrupted operations, this will allow Fiji’s Ministry of Fisheries to work more efficiently, better protect marine resources, and enhance sustainable management practices for the benefit of all Fijians.

The Deputy Head of Delegation of the European Union to the Pacific, Mr. Nereo Peñalver-Garcia said; “The European Union is honoured to be able to support the Fiji government in rolling out its priorities in relation to fisheries monitoring control and surveillance.”

“It is an important step towards ensuring the sustainable fisheries management in Fiji and setting an example for combatting IUU fishing in the Pacific. The PEUMP programme, with the important work of FFA, not only focuses on enhancing monitoring capabilities but also working  to improve market access for Pacific fisheries products that meet international standards for sustainability and traceability. This integrated approach supports both environmental protection and economic development across the region.”

FFA Director-General Noan Pakop applauded the development and acknowledged the importance of such infrastructure in building long-term capacity. He said the support reflects what FFA is advancing at the regional level through our Country Partnership Agreements and the FFA Regional MCS Strategy 2024–2029.

“Building capacity across our membership is not only about training or technical skills, it is also about providing the right infrastructure. Fiji’s new centre is a strong example of that. It contributes to a collective regional effort to combat IUU fishing across over 30 million square kilometres of ocean.”

“Through systems like the Vessel Monitoring System, observer data, and national surveillance capability, we are strengthening the surveillance and enforcement capabilities of our Members. This centre gives Fiji the tools to do that more effectively, and we will continue working with other Members to scale up these efforts across the region.”

The establishment of the Fisheries Monitoring Centre also aligns with Fiji’s recent Maritime Surveillance Enhancement Act passed in January 2025, which increased penalties for IUU fishing violations and expanded the mandate of monitoring authorities.

According to a 2023 report by the Fiji Ministry of Fisheries, IUU fishing incidents in Fijian waters increased by 18 percent between 2022 and 2023, with unauthorised foreign vessels accounting for approximately 65 percent of these violations. The new monitoring centre supports Fiji’s 2024 National Plan of Action on IUU Fishing, which aims to reduce illegal fishing activities by 40 percent by 2027.

The EUR 45 million PEUMP programme promotes sustainable management and sound ocean governance for food security and economic growth, while addressing climate change resilience and conservation of marine biodiversity. It follows a comprehensive approach, integrating issues related oceanic fisheries, coastal fisheries, community development, marine conservation and capacity building under one single regional action.

SUVA, 17 April 2025

Media Contacts: Emily V. Moli FFA Communications Manager e: [email protected] Ernest Ta'asi FFA Communications Officer e: ernest.ta’[email protected] Priscilla Ragu FFA Communications Officer e: [email protected]

About Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA) FFA assists its 17 Members to sustainably manage fishery resources that fall within their 200-mile Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZs). FFA provides expertise, technical assistance and other support to its members who make decisions about their tuna resources and participate in regional decision making on tuna management. Find out more here: www.ffa.int